Avoid Social Host Liability and Keep Drivers Safe

Did you know that at least 50 percent of all holiday traffic fatalities are alcohol related? In fact, that is why December is designated National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Definitely a sobering thought if you are hosting or attending a holiday party this year!

Another thought that just might have you rethinking your company's "open bar" policy is that if an employee or guest leaves your party drunk and gets into an accident, your company could be liable - even if that person may have went to another party or to a bar after leaving your party. If you don't think your company can be found liable - think again! Most states have some form of "social host" laws in place, specifically targeting employer-hosted events.

Why so much focus on company hosted parties? Many courts feel that employees have a greater obligation to attend company gatherings, as opposed to social gatherings hosted by friends or family members. Kind of makes you reconsider having that "attendance mandatory" notice on your holiday invitations.

Company Sponsored Parties
Planning your company's holiday party this year? If so, consider incorporating some, or all of these holiday party suggestions into your company's festivities.

• Host your party at a local hotel and arrange for discounted or complimentary rooms so employees won't have to drive home impaired.
• Hire a cab company or limousine service to provide complimentary rides for employees that are too drunk to drive home.
• Check employees' coats and keys at the door. This will help you regulate who is too drunk to drive and who is able to provide rides home.
• Hire a bartender to serve the drinks, rather then letting employees and guests serve themselves.
• Provide plenty of non-alcoholic drinks and juices.
• Designate a person to keep an eye on everyone and the amount of alcohol they are consuming.
• Discourage guests from drinking excessively and stop serving anyone who appears intoxicated.
• Include a disclosure on your holiday invitations that notes your company's position on drinking and driving and that the company supports and practices the designated driving law.
• Pass out designated driver stickers to all attendees participating in the program.
• Close the bar 90 minutes before the party has ended.
• Serve a variety of nutritious foods to help balance and absorb any alcohol guests may have consumed.

Hosting a Holiday Party
Planning a family gathering or holiday party at your house? Then you too could be potentially liable for any guests that leave your home drunk. If your guests get into an accident because they had too much to drink at your party, the finger could be pointed at you. The best solution is to have a dry party filled with holiday foods, games, prizes, and non-alcoholic beverages. However, if you still want to have a holiday party with alcoholic beverages, then we suggest practicing the following tips.

• Ask friends to designate a driver before the party begins.
• Collect everyone's coats and keys as they arrive.
• Encourage lively conversations and group activities that focus on fun and not alcohol.
• Make food and non-alcoholic drinks easily available.
• Provide plenty of food so the focus is not solely on alcohol.
• Never serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21.
• If someone has had too much to drink, offer to have them spend the night or call a cab - don't let them drive home drunk.

Drinking and Driving Myths
Think you know everything there is to know about drinking and driving - think again!

1. Coffee or a cold shower will sober you up.
   False: Only time can sober you up.
   
   
2. If you avoid liquor and stay with beer and wine you will be fine.
   False: A 12 oz. beer and a 5 oz glass of wine have as much alcohol as a 1.5 oz glass of whisky.
   
   
3. As long as you roll down the windows and turn up the radio, you will be okay to drive home.
   False: Neither of these will help enhance your alertness, motor skills or judgment.
   
   
4. By driving slow, you will avoid getting into an accident.
   False: Driving too slow could potentially cause an accident and besides, driving under the influence is never a good idea at any speed.

DUI
A DUI could do more than potentially harm innocent people; it could also affect your auto insurance coverage. While insurance companies are not allowed to deny coverage to policyholders because of race, religion, residence, age or occupation - they are allowed to cancel your policy for having your driver's license suspended or being convicted of a crime, such as a DUI. That is something to think about before you pick up that next drink at a holiday party!

These holiday party safety tips were provided by Insurance.com, the nation's largest online auto insurance agency. If you are in the market for auto insurance or are thinking about switching auto insurance carriers, visit Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers, helping you save time and money on your auto insurance.

Insurance.com wishes you and your family a safe and secure holiday driving season.

Get Ready for Winter

If you live in an area that gets snow, you may already be dreading this coming winter. Although falling snow can be delightful to watch from inside, outside winter road snow is cause for caution. Insurance.com has some ideas about how to prepare for winter travel, and some good driving tips to keep you safely on the road and out of harm's way.

Preparing Your Car
Before the first snow falls, there are a few things you can do to winterize your car:

• Check Your Auto Insurance Coverage: Make sure your auto insurance coverage is sufficient. Winter weather increases the risk of auto accidents and other mishaps (e.g. a tree falling on your car), so this is not a good time to have less-than-adequate auto insurance.
• Winterize Your Car: Take your car to a trusted mechanic for a prewinter checkup. Check tires (see below) for proper inflation and good tread, and make sure you have new wiper blades, a working heater and defroster system, the right level of antifreeze, and safe brakes.
• Have Winter Car Supplies: Keep an ice scraper, snow shovel, cell phone, flashlight, jumper cables, chains for your tires, blankets, emergency phone numbers, lock deicer, and food and water (in a plastic bottle) in your car.
• Be Car Mishap Proactive: Keep an extra car key in your pocket, purse, or wallet in case you lock yourself out of your car.
• Protect Your Car from the Winter Elements: Keep your car in a garage, if possible, to protect it from snow and ice buildup and to reduce the risk of your car not starting on a cold day.
• Have Back-up: Join an auto club (or renew your membership). If your car breaks down, you can call the auto club and get free emergency roadside services (e.g. a tow or a jump start).

Check Your Tires
Check your tires regularly for tread wear. If you have any doubt about your tires' ability to perform in snowy winter driving conditions, visit your mechanic or tire center. It's also important to maintain the correct tire pressure. You can find the correct pressure for your car in the owner's manual or inside the door edge. Make sure your tires are properly balanced and aligned at regular intervals, too. And if you live in an area where snowy winter roads are inevitable, you may need to invest in tires specifically designed for snow road conditions.

Keep Your Distance
It can take much longer to stop on icy roads than usual. Don't tailgate, and be alert for brake lights on the car in front of you. You should also turn on your headlights so other cars can see you.

If you lose control of your car on an icy road and it begins to skid, don't slam on the brakes. Instead, apply the brakes in a steady, slightly firm manner, and steer in the direction of the skid. For cars that have antilock brakes, you should apply more pressure (steady) to the brakes, but avoid pumping them.

Don't Drive if You're Tired or Distracted
Driving in very snowy or icy weather requires you to be very alert, particularly at night. If you're tired, pull off the road to a safe place and take a break, or better yet, postpone your trip entirely if you can. You should also avoid eating, drinking, talking on the phone, fiddling with the radio, or handing items to children in the back seat: anything where you need to take one or both hands off the steering wheel momentarily.

Other Winter Driving Tips

• Keep your car windshield and windows clear at all times. Use your wipers and defrosters as needed, and don't hesitate to pull over and clean the windows by hand if you're still having trouble seeing.
• Plan your driving routes. When there's snow and ice on the ground, take highways and other major roads that are usually plowed frequently and maintained better than back roads.
• Keep your gas tank full in case of traffic delays or unexpected changes in your route.
• Drive defensively! It's especially important to slow down and be careful when you're driving in winter conditions.
• Become familiar with how your vehicle handles in snow and ice by practicing braking in an empty parking lot.
• If your vehicle becomes disabled, it's usually best to stay with the vehicle until help arrives. If the engine is still running properly, use the heat to stay warm, but stay alert to how much gas is left in the car.
• When driving on icy and snow roads, try to drive at a steady pace and avoid jerky movements when braking, accelerating, or turning. And avoid passing other cars, especially at night.
• Use common sense. Allow plenty of time to get where you need to go. And if visibility is really poor or road conditions are particularly treacherous, don't drive at all.

The better prepared you are for winter driving conditions, the safer you'll be on snow and ice covered roads. Be prepared and winterize your car. Insurance.com wishes you safe winter driving.

Holiday Travel Safety Tips from Insurance.com

The holidays are almost here and you know what that means - the kickoff to holiday travel season is about to begin. To start off this month-long of holiday traveling is none other than Thanksgiving. An estimated 33 million people will be traveling over this long holiday weekend, making Thanksgiving one of the most traveled holidays of the year, followed by Christmas and New Year's Day.

To help you prepare for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's travel ahead, we have listed some helpful holiday road trip safety tips to help get you to and from your family gatherings safely.

Check Road Conditions and the Weather Report
How the Thanksgiving turkey will taste and what the holiday weather will be like are equally unpredictable. Even if the weather and roads look okay in your neighborhood, that may not be the case 200 miles away at Grandma's house. So play it safe this year and check the Federal Highway Administration's website for up-to-the-minute traffic information, detours and road construction before you leave. You will also want to check The Weather Channel's website to find out the weather conditions of the interstates and roads you will be traveling on. Sorry, we can't help on preparing for overcooked Turkey.

Winter Driving Essentials
Depending on where your holiday travels are taking you, you may encounter snow or even blizzard-like conditions along the way. That is why it is a good idea to pack an emergency snow kit, which should include a snow scraper and brush, a flashlight, blankets, booster cables, a shovel, cat litter or sand (to place under your tires for grip, if you get stuck in ice or snow),, flares, emergency triangles, and a first aid kit. While you may never have to use these items, you will be happy you packed them in the event of an emergency.

Winter Check-up
The last thing you want to do is break down and end up missing Mom's famous pumpkin pie all because you failed to have your car winterized. So make sure to have a certified mechanic check your oil level, tire pressure, windshield wipers, heater, defroster, antifreeze, and brakes, before you head out on icy and snowy roads.

Don't Forget Your Cell Phone
You never know what could happen during your travels, so it is always a good idea to bring your cell phone and car charger with you. If you do not have a cell phone, consider purchasing a prepaid cell phone that you can add minutes to. In the event that you do need to use your cell phone, leave the calling to one of your passengers or pull off to the side of the road to make the call.

Buckle Up
Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year to travel. That is why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reminding all of us to play it safe this holiday season and buckle up - not only is it the law; it could help save your life.

Proper Restraints for Children
While everyone understands that infants and toddlers need to be in a child safety seat, many us do not know that children under 4'9" must be in a booster seat. If you do not have a booster seat for your child, make sure to pick one up immediately.

Allow for Extra Time
The heaviest holiday travel traffic occurs during the days immediately before and after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. With that in mind, consider leaving the Tuesday before Thanksgiving instead of the Wednesday before, or traveling home the Monday after Thanksgiving as opposed to the Sunday after.

Watch Your Speed
Speeding is never a good idea, especially during the holidays. If you obey the speed limits, you will still get to your family's house in plenty of time to enjoy the holiday festivities.

Do Not Binge Eat
There will probably be enough food to go around for seconds, thirds…but, for safer holiday driving, perhaps pass on fourths. Over indulging in holiday treats can make you feel uncomfortable and groggy for the ride home; not to mention that turkey has a natural sedative called L-tryptophan which can make you sleepy. If you have a long journey ahead, consider cutting back on the turkey and maybe have a cup of coffee or a caffeinated soda to help perk you up for the trip home.

Do Not Drink and Drive
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more people are killed in drinking and driving accidents during Thanksgiving weekend than during New Year's Day weekend. That being said, if you suspect that a driver has had too much to drink, contact the local authorities immediately. In addition, if you or a loved one has had too much to drink, call a cab or stay at a friend or relatives house - it will be one of the best decisions you will ever make.

Review Your Auto Insurance Coverage
When traveling, it is always a good idea to check your auto insurance policy to see what is and is not covered in your plan. If you would like to add coverage to your auto insurance policy, visit Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here, you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers - helping you find the best auto insurance coverage for your holiday traveling needs.

Tailgating: Get Your Vehicle Ready for the Big Game

Football season is here and for many fans it can only mean one thing - it is tailgating season. However, tailgating is more than just a social event, it is a science. To start the day off right, loyal fans dress head-to-toe in their favorite team colors, give their lucky charm a good rub and head off to their tailgating destination in their official tailgating vehicle, which is proudly decorated in team colors and accessories to help celebrate the big day.

In The market for a Tailgating Vehicle?
Because tailgating vehicles are typically only used for game day, many of these vehicles are inexpensively purchased through classified ads or car auctions. Although low in price, there are some things tailgaters should consider before buying a tailgating vehicle. For instance, if an owner, auctioneer or dealer does not have the title at the time of the sale - don't buy the car! There could be many reasons why the title is missing, such as the car was flooded, stolen, declared a total loss or rebuilt. And even though the car may look like a good deal at the time of purchase, it does not always mean it is!

To play it safe, consider ordering a CARFAX Report on the potential tailgating vehicle you are looking to purchase. A CARFAX Vehicle History Report will provide you with:

• Title information (salvaged or junked titles)
• Flood damage history
• Total loss history
• Odometer readings
• Lemon history
• Lien activity
• Vehicle use (taxi, rental, lease, etc)

While all of this might seem a bit much, it is all worth it if it means you will not miss out on your tailgating festivities.

Purchasing a School Bus or RV as Your Tailgating-mobile
What's the best way to transport your closest friends and family to the tailgating party? A large driving vehicle, such as a bus or RV, of course!

If you are in the market for a school bus, church bus or RV, there are some things you should consider before you buy. For instance, if you purchase a school bus or old church bus, you will need to apply for a Commercial Driver's License with your local DMV office. A standard driver's license is acceptable for an RV.

While all of these vehicles can hold a good amount of people, you never want to put any of your passengers in danger. That is why it is important to consult the manufacturer of the vehicle to find out how many people can safely ride in your tailgating-mobile. You will also want to check the vehicle's safety equipment, such as seat belts, air brake system, airbags system and tire condition, to ensure the vehicle is in good working condition. The last thing you want to do is to get into an accident due to a non-working safety feature.

Towing Your Tailgating Essentials
Due to the magnitude of tailgating, many enthusiasts tow their tailgating equipment to and from the game. While towing can be a great way to transport items, it can also be a dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. To help keep you safe, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests that drivers apply the following tow safety tips:

• Balance weight from side to side
• Distribute cargo weight evenly along the length of the trailer
• Secure and brace all items to prevent them from moving during travel
• Adjust the height of the tow vehicle/trailer interface
• Apply load leveling (weight distributing hitch bars)
• Make sure that trailer tires are the same size, type and construction
• Buy only tires recommended on your trailer's certification label or in the owner's manual
• Check the tire's load rating for the amount of weight the tires can carry safely
• Maintain and check tire pressure regularly

Depending on where you live, your state or municipality could require a special permit or license based on the size and weight of your trailer. Plus, some states have restrictions regarding the transportation of propane gas and other volatile gases or fuels in tunnels. Check with your local DMV to find out the regulations and laws in your state.

In addition, if you are planning to travel outside of your state, log on to the Department of Motor Vehicle's website to find out the towing requirements of the state you are traveling to. One thing that you can count on is that all states require you to have working tail lights and brake lights on your trailer.

For added protection, make sure to contact your auto insurance company to find out if you have adequate coverage for your trailer and the equipment you are transporting.

Play it Safe on Game Day
You never know what could happen, so play it safe by packing the necessary game day safety essentials, such as a first aid kit, garbage bags, change of clothes, fire extinguisher, water and ice packs in case of an emergency.

Things to Omit From Your Tailgating Party List
Rules vary from tailgating location to tailgating location, but one rule that is true for every location is no glass of any kind. So make sure to keep all glass bottles, plates, cups, bowls and anything else that is breakable at home.

Call a Ride
Drinking and driving is not only dangerous, it is also against the law. So if you have had too much to drink at the game, don't try to drive home. Be safe and call a friend or a taxi for a ride.

Insuring Your Tailgating Vehicle
Traffic can be hectic and stressful once a game or event has let out, causing the potential for accidents to occur. That is why it is import to purchase auto insurance for your tailgating mobile. While it may seem silly because you only drive the vehicle once a week, it will seem even worse if the car ends up getting totaled in an accident. For help finding the best auto insurance for your tailgating vehicle, Insurance.com provides an auto insurance comparison application, which will help you find the best auto insurance rate available by evaluating multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers. Not only will Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application save you money on your car insurance, it will also help you get the coverage you need to protect your tailgating vehicle and equipment.

Does Your Occupation Affect Your Auto Insurance Rate?

Think your occupation does not affect your auto insurance rate - think again! In Insurance.com's 2006 Occupation Report, results show that your occupation can greatly impact your car insurance premium.

Compiled from data from their partnering auto insurance companies, Insurance.com's report shows that scientists, pilots/navigators and actors/performers/artists pay the lowest insurance rates at an average of $935.76 per year. Attorneys/lawyers/judges, executives and business owners pay the highest insurance rates at an average of $1,383.63 per year.

Why such a big difference between occupations? According to David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com, attorneys/lawyers/judges, executives and business owners have highly stressful jobs, which require them to spend more time in their cars and talk more frequently on their cell phones than the average driver. "Taking all of these factors into account, you can see why some occupations are coined as "high-risk" and typically pay more for auto insurance then others," stated Roush.

As for scientists, pilots/navigators and actors/performers/artists, Roush says that there are a number of reasons why these occupations pay less for auto insurance. For one, scientists are viewed as being very meticulous and detailed-oriented people, which translates to good driving habits on the road. This outstanding attention to detail typically means scientists are safer drivers, resulting in lower auto insurance premiums.

The same goes for pilots and navigators whose jobs require them to be focused on the safety and wellbeing of others - skills that are often transferred over to their driving habits as well. "Pilots and navigators are often very safe drivers because their driving record not only impacts their personal life, but also their professional life," noted Roush. "If a pilot or navigator was to get into an accident or receive a DUI, their career opportunities would be restricted or even worse, eliminated."

Actors, performers and artists are also at the lower end of insurance premiums because their jobs require them to work in the city, where they are more apt to commute via train or bus to work, versus driving - limiting their time in the car and reducing their chance of getting into a car accident.

However, receiving discounts on auto insurance is not a new concept. For years, insurance companies have been giving discounts to members of "affinity groups," such as AARP, AAA, alumni groups and other associations. These discounts are just now being extended to certain occupations as well, noted Roush.

Wonder if your occupation can save you money on your auto insurance? To find out, simply logon to Insurance.com's auto insurance comparison application. Here you will be able to evaluate multiple rates from best-in-class insurance providers - helping you find the best auto insurance rate and best professional discount for your budget.

To see where your occupation falls in the Insurance.com's 2006 Occupation Report, see the table below:

Rank (lowest to highest)	Occupation	Average Premium
1	Scientist	$870.20
2	Retired	$917.63
3	Currently not working	$934.10
4	Pilot/Navigator	$965.94
5	Disabled	$968.14
6	Actor/Performer/Artist	$971.10
7	Librarian/Historian	$1,008.86
8	Farmer	$1,015.62
9	Student	$1,028.96
10	Public Official	$1,068.83
11	Design Services	$1,070.87
12	Waiter/Bartender/Host	$1,071.25
13	Engineer	$1,087.56
14	Athlete	$1,088.29
15	Homemaker	$1,091.73
16	Instructor/Coach/TA	$1,098.86
17	Breeder/Groomer/Trainer	$1,102.83
18	Clerk/Cashier	$1,105.93
19	Computer/Math/Research	$1,110.15
20	Chef/Baker	$1,114.89
21	Teacher/Dean/Educ Degree	$1,121.15
22	Machine Operator	$1,126.34
23	Architect	$1,130.71
24	Machinist/Toolmaker	$1,131.33
25	Marketing/Advertising	$1,135.33
26	Cleaning/Janitorial	$1,136.02
27	Mechanic	$1,138.33
28	Repair/Maintenance	$1,142.89
29	Null	$1,146.46
30	Military Officer	$1,147.96
31	Tradesman/Manufacturer	$1,150.80
32	Customer Service	$1,151.92
33	Other - Prof w/Coll Degree	$1,156.33
34	Construction/Skilled Worker	$1,159.93
35	Technician	$1,160.09
36	Other - No College Degree	$1,181.74
37	Bank/Clerical/Office Staff	$1,190.75
38	Nanny/Caretaker	$1,193.97
39	Military E5+	$1,196.27
40	Admin. Asst./Secretary	$1,209.26
41	Clergy	$1,209.72
42	Driver	$1,209.94
43	Health Care Worker	$1,212.75
44	Finance/Ins Prof w/Degree	$1,213.17
45	Barber/Beautician	$1,214.47
46	Sales/Real Estate	$1,215.04
47	Government GS1-GS5	$1,215.50
48	Self Employed	$1,217.59
49	Professional Worker	$1,219.49
50	Security/Prison Worker	$1,227.74
51	Administrator	$1,229.80
52	Supervisor/Asst. Manager	$1,231.67
53	Manager/Director	$1,240.14
54	Government GS6 or higher	$1,262.45
55	Police/Fire - other	$1,264.62
56	Medical Doctor/Dentist	$1,277.63
57	Military E1 to E4	$1,294.69
58	CPA/Comptroller	$1,301.36
59	Police/Fire - Lt/Cptn/Chief	$1,314.88
60	Nurse	$1,316.40
61	Attorney/Lawyer/Judge	$1,370.39
62	Executive	$1,375.38
63	Business Owner	$1,405.11

Save on Auto Insurance With a Hybrid

Between gas prices and the economy, American drivers are having trouble deciding what autos to buy. Many people are exploring alternatives, from bikes, to buses, to biofuels. One auto alternative is hybrid cars. But what exactly is a hybrid and why would you want one?

Gas Mileage. The reason most people want a hybrid is because of the great gas mileage they can get. How is this possible? Technology for hybrid autos varies, but higher fuel efficiency is usually accomplished with an electric motor. Batteries store energy recovered during braking and supply that energy back to the electric motor, cutting down on the amount of gas used. A 2008 Toyota Prius, for example, gets an EPA estimated 46 MPG for combined use, while a 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid gets an EPA combined rating of 42 MPG.

Hybrid Types. However, make sure you understand what type of hybrid you’re buying. Some hybrids are designed not to save gas, but to increase performance. For example, there are sports autos that take the gas engine from another model and add an electric motor to increase power. This design uses less gas than an auto with a bigger gas engine, but could actually use more gas overall than the same auto without the electric motor. A 2008 Lexus GS 450h gets an EPA estimated 23 MPG combined, while the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid gets an EPA rated 32 MPG. Buying a hybrid doesn’t automatically mean you’ll get better mileage than a big SUV does.

Discounts. You could be eligible for discounts if you buy a hybrid. Although their numbers are dropping quickly, some hybrid models may qualify for a federal tax incentive. In addition, many states offer tax incentives, parking incentives, and other toll or driving incentives. When you add these savings into the amount you can save in gas, suddenly a hybrid auto doesn’t seem as expensive.

Auto Insurance. Another great savings opportunity could be a discount on your auto insurance rate. Some companies have started to feature discounts of up to 10% for hybrid auto insurance rates, although it depends on the type of hybrid. You’ll need to shop around and compare auto insurance rates from different companies to see who has the best rate. If you need help finding your best cheap online auto insurance rate, you can use our online auto insurance quotes tool.

Back to School Driving

As summer hits its peak, it's time to start thinking about the beginning of the school year. For many, this means adjusting their morning routine, while for others, it simply means more traffic. How does this affect you, and why should you care?

Increased Time and Decreased Speed
Because of the increase in traffic, it's going to take longer to travel. This means you'll need to leave a little earlier. If you're not stuck in traffic, consider driving more slowly. Besides saving on gas, this helps you stop for school buses, and avoid children who dart into the road.

School Buses and Laws
Even if you don't have kids in school, it's not hard to see the increase in school buses around this time. Laws vary by state, but usually you have to stop if a school bus is loading or unloading—no matter what side of the street it's on. Passing a school bus while its red lights are flashing is illegal in every state.

Make sure to familiarize yourself with the local laws regarding school buses. In their guide, "Reducing Illegal Passing of School Buses," the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that many school buses are illegally passed about once a day. Some buses are even passed on the right (the side children use).

School Zones
Another thing to keep in mind as school starts is to be alert in school zones. Check your state's laws regarding school zones. If you're unsure, slow down when school is in session, especially if you see children or crossing guards.

School Safety
Although national School Bus Safety week isn't until the third week of October, now is the time to teach children about school safety. If you have kids, talk to them about what's safe and what isn't. For example, do they know how to cross the street safely, where they can and can't walk around a school bus, and how to get help if they need it?

New or Teen Driver
If you have a child that recently got a license or is learning to drive, make sure they can drive safely and won't take unnecessary risks. If your son or daughter is headed off to college, get tips for college drivers.

For more tips about safety, driving, and cars, check the rest of our Auto Articles section. You can also get free online car insurance quotes from top insurance companies.

8 Things You Should Know About Auto Insurance

Dealing with the ins and outs of auto insurance can be as tricky and confusing as trying to untie the Gordian knot. Although we can`t help you with the knotty Gordian problem, the following recommendations could help you figure out some of the more complicated points of auto insurance.

1) Determine appropriate coverage.
Help control the price you pay, just ask American Insurance Association executive Dave Snyder. For example, Snyder notes that half of your auto insurance bill covers liability and "that has to do with how you are going to use the vehicle, such as for commuting to work and your driving record. If you`ve got a clean driving record, you figure to pay less for insurance than you would if you had a speeding ticket on your record. You can control the other half of your premium which covers damage or loss to your vehicle, comprehensive and collision coverage."

2) Shop around for insurance.
"In most states," Snyder reports, "there are hundreds of insurers competing for business, so it`s possible to save hundreds of dollars by obtaining quotes from different auto insurance providers." Picking up on Snyder`s theme is his AIA colleague, Nicole Mahrt. Mahrt urges you to work with your insurance provider to get more than one quote. "It pays you to shop around, especially if you feel you`ve been paying too much."

3) Look for insurance discounts.
"Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them, for example auto and home insurance," confirms John Marchioni, senior vice president of Personal Lines for Selective Insurance, in Branchville, N.J. More cost-saving suggestions from Marchioni: "Ask about discounts for air bags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and anti-theft devices."

4) Consider taking a higher deductible.
"You could lower your insurance bill by increasing your deductible," Mahrt says. "But just make sure you can pay the higher deductible if you file a claim."

5) Look into "stacking" coverages if you file an insurance claim.
Insurance trade group officer Daniel Kummer explains that stacking uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages means "you can collect from more than one of your auto insurance policies. Most states prohibit this practice, but there are about 19 states that either allow stacking or don't address the issue either through legislation or litigation," according to Kummer, director of personal insurance for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. "Be sure to check your auto insurance contract to see if it's allowed. "Be advised that you`ll likely pay a higher insurance premium if you have stacked coverage. "It could be 10% to 30% more depending on the litigious nature of the state in which you reside," says Kummer.

6) Check with your insurance provider BEFORE buying a car.
"Your premium is based in part on the car`s sticker price, the cost to repair it, its safety record and the likelihood of theft," answers Selective`s John Marchioni. Remember to avoid shopping by price alone. "You want an agent and a company that answer your questions and handle claims fairly and efficiently," emphasizes Marchioni, senior vice president of Personal Lines for Selective Insurance.

7) Notify your auto insurance company as soon as you change companies.
"Be sure to cancel your old policy," suggests PCI`s Dan Kummer. "Do it the same day, but don`t cancel your old policy until you`ve lined up a new contract. That`s important because some states like New York will fine you for the number of days you go without insurance." One last thought from Kummer on the subject: "Most auto insurers specify in your contract that you can terminate your policy any time you want by informing your company in writing about the date you wish that coverage be terminated or you can do that over the phone.

8) Pick the insurance payment option that best fits your budget.
"Generally, most companies will give you the ability to pay over time, but that comes at a price," says Kummer. "Your payment could increase a few dollars each time you pay by installment. Insurers can accept payments monthly, quarterly, or every six months, what ever is most convenient for you. Remember, though, that the more you break down your payments, the more the cost adds up."